Tag «Fleet»

Battle of Block Island: HMS Glasgow vs American Fleet

USS Randolph vs the HMS Yarmouth. By Nowland van Powell.

The Battle of Block Island, April 6, 1776, was between the British 20-gun frigate HMS Glasgow and the first fleet launched by an infant United Colonies Navy, led by its first commander, Commodore Esk Hopkins. Some scholars considered the contest a British victory, while most concur the battle was a draw. Four American ships, all …

Battle of the Chesapeake Bay: Gateway to Yorktown

Line of Battle with British on the right and French on the left. Artwork by Auguste Jugelet.

Fought on September 5, 1781, the Battle of Chesapeake Bay (Battle of the Capes) was a French victory that set the stage for British General Lord Charles Cornwallis’ surrender at Yorktown, Virginia, October 19, 1781. On August 15th, a French fleet commanded by Rear Admiral Francois Joseph Paul, the Comte de Grasse, sailed from Hatti …